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Ontario, Canada.

Calcium uptake is generally genetically controlled. One of the restrictions is the fact that only newly expanding unsuberized root caps can absorb calcium. Any environmental factor that limits root expansion limits the uptake of calcium predisposing plants to physiological disorders.

Would a shot of 10-52-10 help to build new roots and the uptake of calcium at this time of year?

8/22/2004 7:59:25 PM

Ontario, Canada.

physiological disorders. Splits!!!!!

8/22/2004 8:00:10 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Have I found the KEY? Read on below.Calcium and Nitrogen Regulation

Nitrogen plays a very important role in crop production the appropriate rates of N promotes fast vigorous growth and high yields. However too much in particular too much nitrate nitrogen can cause increased susceptibility of disorders and predispose plants to pathogen infection. Environmental concerns arise with excessive nitrates available to potentially leach to ground water.

Nitrate nitrogen tends encourage soft succulent vegetative terminal growth at the expense of reproductive growth. Ammonium Nitrogen uptake alters the plants sugar metabolism. This encourages not only more sugar production but a greater rate of export out of the leaves to the roots and on the way to the roots, fruits and storage organs can grab the sugars and enhance growth, yield and quality and decrease the susceptibility to diseases.

If plants can utilize 50 % of their N as ammonical forms the crop can use more Nitrogen to produce more yield and quality. Nitrogen Use Efficiency is increased when a crop can produce more yield with the same N level.

Nitrate nitrogen tends to accumulate in the leaves and increase organic acid production, which increases the demand for Calcium to neutralize the acidity, if this calcium is in short supply calcium may be mobilized from the roots. This movement of calcium from roots is the demise of the root integrity and can lead to leaky roots and ethylene production signaling the plant to shut down.

8/22/2004 8:09:14 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Can this be reversed? Ethylene is our enemy.

This movement of calcium from roots is the demise of the root integrity and can lead to leaky roots and ethylene production signaling the plant to shut down.

8/22/2004 8:11:52 PM

Hi, BigK,

What is the reference source of your info for the 8:09 PM post? Interesting info. I would like to hear from a plant biologist whether Calcium is "mobilized from the roots" to neutralize leaf acidity. Sounds like it may be a theory based on "TUMS" to me...may not be true in plants. Are the roots the site of ethylene production? All this is worth investigating...

Chris

8/24/2004 3:13:40 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Chris, its Agri-Food Laboratories.

http://www.agtest.com/

8/24/2004 6:29:04 PM

Ontario, Canada.

In Short high N in the leaves Chris, brings about a greater demand for calcium to reduce acidity accumulation. But you have to able to supply calcium with young roots and at this time of year calcium accumulates in the fruit faster than the roots can supply it further depleting the much needed ca in the leaves. But you need it in the fruit too. catch 22 eh! solve the riddle of calcium and the plants continue to thrive. Keep it young with ammoinium and supplemental doses of ca. on the leaves and the food factory continues to supply hefty daily gains.

Once your fruit declines can it be brought back to increased production? Growth regulators may be the answer.

8/24/2004 10:47:22 PM